Time magazine screws up re. WDW lines

On the last page of the September 10, 2007, issue of Time, there is an essay by Steve Rushin about rich people avoiding lines. In paragraph 4, he wrote,
"At amusement parks, too, you can now buy your way out of line. . .[6 Flags & Universal examples omitted]
. . .WDW, where haves get to watch the have-mores breeze past on their way to their seats, as if Space Mountain were Spago."
This makes WDW's Fastpass seem like the VIP front-of-the-line passes for sale at Universal and (according to the unreliable Rushin) Six Flags New England.

That's a pretty serious erroneous dis against America's most popular theme park, and he got it wrong in one of America's most popular & prestigious magazines.

I believe that at Disneyland the VIP tours skip lines
and that some "have-mores" avoid waiting for parades and Fantasmic with VIP seating.
(Is that the same at WDW?)
But I thought that the only other way to avoid lines was by using Fastpass--not $$$$.

If I believed Time/Rushin (that rich people could walk right past me in line all day when Walt Disney World was crowded) I would be less likely to travel there. I seek out flights on Midwest, JetBlue, and SW airlines because their one-class policy makes me feel like I'm getting their best service. I don't want to feel like I'm stuck in coach in Walt Disney World's parks. Hotels, sure, but not in the parks. (Disney should note that JetBlue, MW, & SW outperform American and NW in customer satisfaction, and that--in the long run--customer satisfaction is rather important.)

Re: Time magazine screws up re. WDW lines

There is no way for anyone to buy their way to the front of the line at WDW or Disneyland. Most VIP tours wait in line with the rest of the guests. The only exceptions are highly recognizable celebrities (who would cause a disruption) or diplomats who are handled by security.

Re: Time magazine screws up re. WDW lines

That is just AWEFUL - what a major mistake to make. I am so proud of WDW for not going to the 'pay to get ahead in line' model. You all know that Walt would never have wanted this to happen, and I hope this never changes.

I love Universal/Islands also, but I don't like that you can pay to get ahead of lines there (or by staying at their hotels).

Re: Time magazine screws up re. WDW lines

Well, I think I know where they may have got the misinformation... I remember that Jim Hill wrote maybe about a year ago that they were considering making Fast Pass to be exclusive to hotel people and the more expensive the hotel, the more you can get. Obviously, this never has happened if they were even actually considering it.

I believe that Universal does have a system exclusive to those that stay at the Hard Rock Hotel and any other hotel that they may have (ok, so I'm not so familiar with Universal...).

Re: Time magazine screws up re. WDW lines

Personally, I wish Disney did sell the Fastpass add-on option as part of the Magic your Way ticketing scheme, just like hopping has become. Wanna cut to the front of the line? PAY for the benefit, and only ONE cutting opportunity per attraction offering FP service. Or better yet, KILL FASTPASS FOREVER.

Re: Time magazine screws up re. WDW lines

I sent an email to the editor by clicking on Steve Rushin's byline here. I corrected the false statement, explained the FP system, and urged Mr. Rushin/Time's editors to print a correction/apology immediately on Time's web site, as well as in the next publication.

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